Seal installation tool

Abstract

A tool is provided to facilitate the assembly of a seal ring. The tool comprises an elongated body and a flange projecting radially from the elongated body. A first portion of the tool is configured to receive the placement of a seal ring and a retainer cap thereon. The retainer cap may carry attachment elements, such as screws, used to secure the retainer cap on the housing. To mount the seal ring, the tool is inserted through a shaft hole of the housing to clamp the seal ring and the retainer cap between the housing and a flange of the tool. The attachment elements then are tightened to fix the retainer cap on the housing, which secures the seal ring sandwiched between the retainer cap and the housing. After the assembly of the seal ring is completed, the tool may then be slidably removed.

1. A seal installation tool for disposing a seal ring on a housing, comprising:
 an elongated body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first length and a first diameter, the second portion having a second length and a second diameter different from the first diameter, wherein an outer surface of the first portion has a tapered end; and 
 a flange projecting radially from the elongated body and separating the first portion from the second portion, the flange substantially encircling the elongated body and having one or more notches therein, wherein the elongated body is fixed relative to the flange, and wherein the elongated body and the flange are an unitary body. 
 
   
   
     2. The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more notches comprises four notches. 
   
   
     3. The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more notches are equally spaced around the perimeter of the flange. 
   
   
     4. The tool of  claim 3 , wherein at least one notch comprises a substantially curved surface. 
   
   
     5. The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a diameter between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. 
   
   
     6. The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has diameter between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first length is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. 
   
   
     8. The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter. 
   
   
     9. The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body and the flange comprise poly(ethylene terephthalate). 
   
   
     10. A seal installation tool, comprising:
 an elongated body comprising a polymer, the body having: 
 a handle portion sized and shaped to be gripped by a technician; 
 a fastening mechanism housing coupled to the handle portion and extending radially outward from the handle portion; and 
 a seal receiving portion having a diameter less than a diameter of the handle portion, the seal receiving portion having a first surface substantially parallel to a surface of the handle portion, a second surface perpendicular to a surface of the handle portion, and a third surface disposed at an angle relative to both the first and second surfaces, wherein the third surface is a tapered end formed on an outer surface of the seal receiving portion, wherein the fastening mechanism housing is fixed relative to the handle portion, the seal receiving portion and the handle portion, and wherein the fastening mechanism housing and the seal receiving portion are an unitary body. 
 
   
   
     11. A seal installation method, comprising:
 disposing a retainer cap onto a first portion of a tool, the tool comprising an elongated body having the first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first length and a first diameter, the second portion having a second length and a second diameter different from the first diameter, wherein an outer surface of the first portion has a tapered end and a flange projecting radially from the elongated body and separating the first portion from the second portion, the flange substantially encircling the elongated body and having one or more notches therein, wherein the elongated body is fixed relative to the flange, and wherein the elongated body and the flange are an unitary body; 
 disposing the seal on the tool in front of the retainer cap by sliding the seal over the portion of the elongated body; 
 passing the first portion of the elongated body through a hole of a housing to clamp the seal between the retainer cap and the housing; and 
 engaging one or more screws through the retainer cap to the housing to securely fix the seal and the retainer cap on the housing. 
 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more screws as disposed through the retainer cap prior to disposing the retainer cap onto the first portion. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flange comprises one or more notches sized to receive one screw of the one or more screws. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more notches comprises four notches and the one or more screws comprises four screws. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing the tool after engaging the one or more screws to the housing. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated body and the flange comprise a unitary piece. 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the elongated body and the flange comprise poly (ethylene terephthalate). 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the seal.